Surfing arrived in the Maldives in the late 1970s, and has been growing in popularity ever since that first board rode the Maldivian breaks.

Surf Season in the Maldives

The recognised surf season in the Maldives is the Southwest Monsoon, which takes place between May and October.

Recently, the Maldives has attracted professional surfers, as well as playing host to international surfing competitions, making the Maldives a world surfing destination.

Surfing Areas and Conditions

Dhonveli Beach and Spa, fomerly Thari Village, is considered the best surf stop-over in the Maldives. The resort has access to two of the best surfs in North Male. Surfers can stay at the Dhonveli Beach and Spa itself or in the nearby resorts.

For surfers that wish to explore the breaks beyond North Male’ atoll, it is necessary to go via liveaboard.

The average size of reef breakers is 4 to 5 feet, rising to 8 to 10 feet during the surf monsoon.

Surf Monsoon

Surf monsoon is from late February to mid November, with the best waves coming in during March to May and then again in September until the end of November.

Reef breakers can be quite tricky to surf because the water is rather shallow on the surf and the coral beds are sharp and protruding.

Surfers are advised to bring all their equipment with them, as good surf equipment can be difficult to find on the islands.

Famous Maldives Surf Spots

Chickens

Villingilimathi Huraa (Kuda Villingili), Uninhabited island. Eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll.

Cokes

Thulusdhoo, Atoll Capital. Eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll.

Gurus

Male’, the capital. Eastern reef of Male’, Southern tip of North Male’ Atoll.

Honky’s

Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island), Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll.

Kate’s

Boduhuraa, Uninhabited Island near the Palm Tree Island Resort. Eastern Reef of South Male’ Atoll.

Lohis

Lohifushi Island Resort. Eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll.

Male’ Island Point

Full Moon Beach Resort, Furana Fushi Island, Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll.

Natives

Kandooma Resort, Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll.

Piddlies / Ninjas

Kanifinolhu Resort. Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll.

Quarters

Gulhigaathuhuraa, uninhabited island attached to Palm Tree Island Resort.

Riptides

Guraidhoo, Inhabited Island. Eastern Reef of South Male’ Atoll.

Sultans

Tari Village Resort (Kanu Huraa) . Eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll.

Tomb Stones

Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island), Adjacent to ‘Sultans’. Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll.

Twin Peaks

Miyaru Faru near the island of Gulhi, inhabited island, Eastern Reef of South Male’ Atoll.